Fighting Illini Ready To Return to Bowl Game in 2009

(Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)

Davis was the defense's biggest playmaker in his two years, so replacing his production will be a daunting task for the returning athletes and incoming freshmen.

One of those freshman might make the loss of Davis a bit easier, though. Justin Green, possibly the biggest recruit in the '09 class for Zook, seemed certain to be headed elsewhere when National Signing Day rolled around last February.

First it was Kentucky.

Then it was Ohio St.

But, in the end, Green ended up at Illinois and immediately solidified the cornerback spot vacated by Davis.

Green is ranked as the second-fastest and second-best athlete at the cornerback spot in his class by rivals.com.

He, along with returning seniors Donsay Hardeman and Dere Hicks, will be asked to shut down a Big Ten receiving group that regularly produces NFL wide receivers.

Another area of concern for the Illini was the defensive line.

Two four-star athletes, end Michael Buchanan and tackle Lendell Buckner, head an incoming group that should team well with returning linemen Josh Brent and Jerry Brown to make the line a solid group in '09.

Linebacker has been a position that has produced many of the nation's top tacklers in the past few seasons.

Matt Sinclair, J Leman, and most recently Brit Miller have all stepped in and solidified the defense as middle linebackers after their predecessors graduated.

Another Illini linebacker will be asked to do the same this year after Miller's departure.

Martez Wilson is the most likely candidate because of his natural athleticism, but Wilson has struggled to be a consistent force in his time at Illinois.

Ian Thomas has also gotten a look at MLB, so between the two the Illini hope to catch lightning in a bottle once again.

The incoming class isn't headlined with big-name recruits, but junior college transfer Aaron Gress and freshman Eric Watts are solid prospects who should contribute.

On special teams, the Illini struggled in both the punting and the punt return games. Benn will likely handle the punt returns again in '09, and, after a subpar returning year, he should bounce back and be more of a force in that area.

Anthony Santella handled punting duties in '08, but failed to average 40 yards per punt, so he and senior Kyle Yelton could be in an open competition for the job in '09.

The schedule is always tough in the Big Ten, and the Illini will again open the season against Mizzou in what will be (at least for the immediate future) the last installment of the Braggin' Rights game in St. Louis.

So, nothing will be given to the Illini this season.

But, with the returning talent in the form of Williams and Benn along with incoming prospects like Golden and Green, Zook should have the Illini on the right side of .500 and, barring bad luck and unforeseen injuries, back to a bowl in '09.

Unfortunately with this team, nothing will come as a surprise.

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